Sportsnet Analyst Links Stanley Cup Champion With Former Team
Eric Francis of Sportsnet has recently stated that he believes the Calgary Flames could look to make a move and acquire former player Sam Bennett.
According to Eric Francis of Sportsnet, the Calgary Flames might be looking at a potential reunion with Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett.
The Flames selected Sam Bennett fourth overall in the 2014 NHL Draft, and he spent just about seven seasons in Calgary.
Often, he didn't live up to expectations in his time there, mostly playing bottom-six minutes and sporadic chances, which led him to ask for a trade.
In 2021, Bennett was traded to the Panthers, where he resurrected his career. Since then, he's scored 20 or more goals in consecutive seasons and hoisted the Stanley Cup. He's now a physical, playoff-tested center.
With Bennett set to hit unrestricted free agency next summer, the Flames are rumored to be eyeing him as a potential solution to their high-impact center needs.
Bennett's resurgence in Florida, especially since moving to center and playing with star teammates like Jonathan Huberdeau, has drawn rave reviews from Panthers coach Paul Maurice.
With Calgary's new management in place after moving on from both coach Darryl Sutter and general manager Brad Treliving, a return to the Flames might be more attractive for Bennett than it would have been under the same circumstances that initially saw him moved.
The Calgary Flames have over $19 million projected cap space to be very aggressive if he is available.
The expectation, at least for now, remains that the Panthers will attempt to re-sign Bennett and Eric Francis suggests a trade will become possible if talks reach an impasse, which, considering Florida's contention status, is unlikely.
If Bennett does reach the open market, his past with Calgary and demonstrated playoff abilities make him a strong candidate to bolster a Flames team looking to get back into contention.
